Blog: Powerpopaholic: The Power Pop Music Review Site!

The Perms are a Winnipeg trio fronted by Shane Smith (bass, vocals) and assisted by Chad Smith (guitar, vocals) and John Huver (drums). It was clear that for the 5th album the band wanted a wilder atmosphere in the studio while keeping those power pop hooks intact. Starting with the anthemic "High School," it plays a bit like Weezer, Blink 182 or Bowling For Soup on a nostalgic trip, singing " It's alright if we party every night, cause tonight will last forever and we're never gonna die. " On "Make It Through" Chad's vocal in the chorus screams out over the [...]

The Ditchflowers "Bird's Eye" Brain Merrill (Barely Pink) has a long history of great pop songwriting and this follow up to the debut Carried Away is a solid slice of adult contemporary power pop. "Sunshine Lifetime" is a soulful pop number that has a touch of Steely Dan. "You Could Hurt Someone" charms with its bouncy beat and quick paced chorus, similar to Squeeze - but a real winner is the subtle "Simple Guy" with its heartfelt lyrics about the sensitive artist trying to find himself. The guitar composition builds layers of [...]

Click here to view the video on YouTube. As a niche music genre, power pop musicians have been living the DIY life for many years now. So the fact that the major label model is dead is no longer news. But here it is documented with mainstream artist Will Gray through the recording and release of his debut album (featuring production by the Grammy-winning T Bone Burnett ). Broke* chronicles the stories of artists and executives searching for ways to thrive in today's music industry. The film digs beneath the c liché [...]

Peter Baldrachi "Tomorrow Never Knows" Boston singer/songwriter Balderachi delivers his long awaited follow up to 20062s "Solid Ground" and like his previous release, it's worth the wait. As a respected IPO veteran, he blasts out the opening track "In The Dead Of Night" with a strong driving melody in the classic Matthew Sweet - Velvet Crush style. The jangling open on "Make It Our Own" gives way to excellent guitar breaks between each catchy chorus. "Promise Me A New Start" features backing vocalists Alice Austin and Amy Fairchild, and [...]

The Bloodpoets "Wings" EP One more band from Australia - an alternative rock band with a light pop touch called The Bloodpoets. The duet of Tom Murphy and Becca Plath starts off with "Wings." It starts calmly enough with a bit of edge toward the end of the song. Also notable here is "Sunny Day" with it's slow ska rhythm and horns. The album highlight is the dramatic ballad turned rock anthem "She Feels It" as it all starts out very quiet and nondescript but then builds to a loud arena blast. It's a musically [...]

I recently finished this interview with Zac Anthony, lead singer-songwriter for the Australian power pop band The Wellingtons. The latest album is "In Transit" - go to the interviews section or check it out over here . BTW: I have also archived my exclusive interview with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles in the interview section. To hear that one go here .

Click here to view the video on YouTube. This is an interview with Adam Kidron (CEO of Boinc) and Mark Mulligan on the influence of social sites in spreading music around. Like many social media sites, Boinc is set to launch a new music service soon in the UK. Could it spread here? Who will dominate the " influencer " space of music online?

Click here to view the video on YouTube. This delightful bit of French Pop is from Vanessa Paradis and the monster "Frank" for the animated film " A Monster in Paris" Rumor has it Sean Lennon is the singing voice of the monster here. The soundtrack to this film looks to be a good one, and you don't have to be French to enjoy it! The video is in french, but the preview is in English...

Another hard working Aussie, Michael Carpenter is still doing great cover work. This is Carpenter's fourth album of "Songs Of Other People" and he digs into some more obscure album tracks of his favorite artists. If you are not familiar with some, like "End Of The World" by Jonah's Road then this is a great introduction to these songs. Others that are better known are still a lot of fun and Carpenter's unique vocal and style makes each song his own. Highlights are many, and include Graham Parker's "Life Gets Better" and the McCartney chestnut "Get Closer." Because [...]

Hurricane Fighter Plane "s/t" EP Fans of Rainbow Quartz retro bands like the Resonars and Brit-pop bands like Oasis will appreciate this one. Classic influences are easily spotted (The Who, Small Faces, The Beatles) and dutifully applied. The band opens with the Mod rhythms of "Moonlight Through The Norfolk Pines" filled with Who-styled high energy guitar riffs. "Come Back To Me" demonstrates lead singer Wesley Fuller's uncanny ability to channel Noel Gallagher and the chiming chords of "It Won't Last" make it a triumphant pop single that's sure to linger - it belongs on your [...]

Melbourne Australia's hardest working power pop band recorded and mixed In Transit in London and had it mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. And the Wellington's latest is once again a wonderful power pop creation. The band's sound has gotten tighter and more consistent with time, and lead vocal Zac Anthony's approach has more of a pop (as opposed to rock) sound than previous releases, with less emphasis on the lead guitar driving the melody and more reliance on vocals and harmonies to do the heavy lifting. Opening with the fast-paced chords of "Keep Me Holding On" [...]

It's a real rarity that I review concert DVDs, but I wanted to show my appreciation for these talented artists. The Doughboys "Rock N Raw Live" You thought you knew the New Jersey band, The Doughboys ? Well I'm sure no one told you the history of a band that is over 40 years old and one of the best live rock bands in the east. It all started with Richard X. Heyman and Mike Scavone in the early sixties and how they [...]

Click here to view the video on YouTube. Fans of the old Not Lame record label can catch up with Bruce Brodeen at his brand new site, Pop Geek Heaven. Have a look at www.popgeekheaven.com

Valentiger "Oh, to Know!" This Michigan band is on the cusp of something big. A very smooth blend of alt. country and folk pop with a casual attitude. Opening with the Wilco-ish "Oh, To Know!" features the commanding guitar strums and harmonies in the chorus. The building bass line and quiet-loud composition from lead guitarist-vocalist Brent Shirey also won me over. The slower beat on the melodic "All I" shuffles along and the Beck-like fuzz on "Another Cool Move" recall a lost Replacements tune. On the slower side of things, "Love to Forgive" is a [...]

I was really thrilled to interview the lovely Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. We talk about the new album ( Sweetheart Of The Sun ) of course and yes there will be a new Sid & Susie album, Under The Covers, Vol.3 coming out soon. I ask her about Prince, Dhanni Harrison, Susan Cowsill and other interesting things including a possible Bangles boxset in the future. I tried to squeeze in everything and she was very personable.

Celebrating their 30th year anniversary, The Bangles' newest album Sweetheart of the Sun , has all the requisite power pop touch points (The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds) and co-produced by Matthew Sweet. Combining their trademark angelic harmonies with jangling guitar riffs, the band is now a trio; Susanna Hoffs (guitar) and sisters Vicki (guitar) and Debbie Peterson (drums); former bassist Mickey Steele is the only original member to leave the group. While many will consider this a successful "retro" album - it really is the band leaning on those 602s pop roots to produce a more [...]

Click here to view the video on YouTube. The trailer for the new Reelin' In The Years Productions/Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD- The British Invasion: The Hollies- Look Through Any Window 1963-1975. This first official documentary on the Hollies. This was a band that followed the Beatles in conquering America with the British invasion - and you'd be hard pressed to find a band who's sound changed so dramatically over time, but the quality of the music remained excellent. For you young'uns I'd go here first to hear more .

The Modulators "Tomorrow's Coming" If you are nostalgic for the 802s skinny tie era of great power pop this band fits the bill. The Modulators were a local New Jersey band that played the small clubs in NJ, and was a local favorite at the time. The trio of Joe Riccardello (bass & keyboards), Mark Higgins (lead guitar) and Mark Westlake (drums) gets things started with the high treble jangle of the title track and energetic beat of "Jimmy Says." Especially great is the fantastic "Spin Me Around" which is a real highlight in the best Marshall Crenshaw style, and [...]

The Modulators "Tomorrow's Coming" If you are nostalgic for the 802s skinny tie era of great power pop this band fits the bill. The Modulators were a local New Jersey band that played the small clubs in NJ, and was a local favorite at the time. The trio of Joe Riccardello on bass & Keyboards, Mark Higgins on Guitar and Mark Westlake on Drums gets things started with the high treble jangle of the title track and energetic beat of "Jimmy Says." Especially great is the fantastic "Spin Me Around" which is a real highlight in the best Marshall Crenshaw [...]

I had a pretty good rapport with guitarist songwriter Tommy Keene and we talked at length about his new album Behind The Parade and his 30+ years as a performer. He also has a love-hate relationship with the term "power pop" and a great anecdote about playing on stage with Paul Westerberg (Replacements). Read the review of Behind The Parade here . Go to the audio interview here.